I used the term “money mindfulness,” which means being in the moment and fully aware of all the facts — financially and emotionally — to make better financial decisions. I’ve learned the importance of applying financial knowledge to help live your dream lifestyle.

I wanted to share this with the world — or at least, this summer, with the US.

My team of four participated in panel discussions; explored large cities and small towns; spoke with people at festivals and local coffee shops; and held events at churches, restaurants, barbecue joints, bars, colleges, and credit-union locations.

I had a mission, and that was to motivate and break the social taboo around money. I began that conversation by sharing these 11 money lessons with over 8,000 people.

1. Take advice from people who are living the life you want to live.

Consider their knowledge as valuable information to make better financial decisions. For example, you may need to ask yourself why you’re taking investing advice from a peer who isn’t a successful investor.

2. Have a lifestyle goal, not just a financial goal.

A lifestyle is how you live, and financial goals are specific to things that revolve around money.

A lifestyle goal is the “why” behind all the hard work and reasoning behind those financial goals.

By articulating the life you want to live, you’ll learn to create financial goals and make better financial decisions that fulfill that lifestyle.

3. Be mindful of the financial conversations you’re having and not having.

We learn our financial habits from our family, friends, and coworkers and through marketing messages. Although we may not talk about our financial situation openly, we are having these conversations with the clothes we wear, the homes we live in, the cars we drive, and the phones we upgrade.

It’s important to be mindful of these conversations because they influence our credit decisions, banking relationships, and spending.

4. Wealth isn’t measured by how much you spend, but by how much you’ve saved.

Pay yourself first and be purposeful with your savings strategy. We work for a paycheck to afford things, whether we decide to spend the money today or in our retirement years.

5. Beware of lifestyle inflation.

Without awareness of how you spend, you’ll find you’re spending $80,000 at the same rate you spent a $40,000 paycheck.

Lifestyle inflation can prevent you from saving money and building wealth. Are you telling yourself you’ll save with the next raise or the new job? Chances are something will come up that’ll keep you from saving, so start today.

6. Live your dreams, not someone else’s.

Keeping up with the Joneses is spending your hard-earned money to live another person’s dream. Financial awareness is spending your hard-earned cash on purchases that add value to your life.

7. The purchase of goods and experiences are the same.

Whether you decide to spend your paycheck on expensive clothes or a backpacking trip around the world, spend on what matters most to you.

8. Cutting expenses is more powerful than increasing income.

It’s great to make more, but if you’re unable to save more, then you’re not improving your financial situation. It’s also easier to reduce expenses than increase income.

Additionally, reducing expenses have a double effect of lowering your required monthly payments and lowering the amount needed in the future.

9. Prioritize debt repayment.

Debt reserves your future time for work rather than fun. It’s important to understand that a reliance on credit to finance your lifestyle can lead to debt.

Remove the debt ball and chain and make extra payments to get rid of your debt as soon as you can.

10. Credit isn’t the problem.

Credit has a bad reputation, but it has allowed many to make wise financial decisions when it comes to housing, transportation, and education. As long as you make smart choices with credit, it can help you achieve the lifestyle you want.

Don’t spend beyond your ability to repay used credit early. Avoid turning credit into longterm debt. Think of credit as a tool that enables you to invest in your future instead of indebted to a new living-room set.

11. Money does buy happiness.

Don’t be fooled because money can provide for basic needs such as housing and food.

But happiness isn’t about the dollars in your bank account or the size of your home, the luxuriousness of your car, or the vacations you can afford.

Eddie is the founder and owner of www.WorldTruth.TV. This website is dedicated to educating and informing people with articles on powerful and concealed information from around the globe. I have spent the last 38 years researching Bible, History, Alternative Health, Secret Societies, Symbolism and many other topics that are not reported by mainstream media.